M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor and author
PetroSaudi whistleblower and retired Swiss banker Andre Xavier Justo was threatened to be killed about 10 years ago.
His life was in danger when he revealed how two PetroSaudi company executives embezzled more than US$1.8 billion (RM8 billion) from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.
The executives Tarek Obaid and Swiss-British national Patrick Mahony tried to defraud 1MDB of US$1.8 billion (RM8 billion).
Whistleblower Justo was also threatened that his wife and son may end up in an orphanage by Mahony.
Six years ago, The Guardian published a lengthy piece, ‘1MDB: The inside story of the world’s biggest financial scandal’, which included an audio link to the taped conversation.
The taped conversation between Justo's wife Laura and PetroSaudi’s business affairs director Patrick Mahony revealed immense information on the 1MDB scandal which was not revealed before.
Last week, justice finally prevailed when former PetroSaudi executives Tarek Obaid and Patrick Mahony were convicted for having embezzled more than US$1.8 billion (about RM8 billion).
Now, Malaysians are asking how much of this money will be recovered and returned to the Malaysian Government.
After a decade of relentless struggle, Justo, a 1MDB whistleblower who endured jail time in Thailand finally breathed a sigh of relief after a Swiss Court convicted and jailed two Petrosaudi International Limited executives.
In his LinkedIn posting on 29th August, Justo lauded the criminal court ruling against his former colleagues Tarek Obaid and Patrick Mahony, saying that justice has prevailed.
The following is Justo’s LinkedIn posting:
After a decade of relentless struggle, justice has finally prevailed. For ten long years, we fought tirelessly to bring these criminals to account. The path was arduous, filled with countless obstacles, sleepless nights, and moments of doubt that tested our resolve. Yet we never wavered in our belief that truth and justice would triumph, no matter the power of the opposition.
As the verdict was read, the weight of those years seemed to lift, if only momentarily. It was a poignant reminder that when you stand your ground and know in your heart that you are righteous, nothing can truly impede your progress. We fought this battle not just for ourselves, but for all those who have been wronged and for those who believed in the power of justice. This victory stands as a beacon of hope, a testament that justice can and will prevail even in the face of immense adversity.
This is also proof that a whistleblowing act is not a one-time event, but the start of a long, hard-fought battle. It shows that even the smallest can triumph over the mightiest. However, the lawyers have emerged as the true victors, profiting from the stolen funds they aim to prolong the legal proceedings through appeals.
One final battle remains, as Tarek Obaid seeks to gain access to the more than $300 million frozen in London. I will ensure that this money rightfully belongs to the Malaysian and Venezuelan people, not the criminals.
To everyone who stood by us, believed in us, and never lost faith, we thank you. This victory is for all of us. Justice has been served.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, adjunct professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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